Libsyn Directory

Can Better Friendships Improve Your Dating Life? ft Shari Leid

Release Date: 04/14/2026

Why Ambitious Women Get Rejected More ft Stefanie O'Connell

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Can ambition ruin a relationship? Matchmaker Maria sits down with author and journalist to unpack why ambitious women are still being labeled “too much” in dating, work, and marriage. They discuss the research behind men pulling away when women out-earn them, why women still do more household labor even when they make more money, and how “provider mentality” can sometimes really mean control. Maria also shares what she’s seeing in modern dating, from men wanting “ambitious women” until they actually meet one, to the rise of trad wife content and 27-year-olds panicking over...

Wired to Connect: The Science of Love, Lust & Fidelity with Kinsey Institute Director Dr. Justin Garcia

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sits down with of the Kinsey Institute to break down the science behind modern dating, ghosting, dating apps, attraction, AI in dating, hookup culture and relationships. Maria and Justin get into why over 70% of singles have fallen for someone they usually wouldn’t think they’d be attracted to and why Gen Z says they value authenticity yet nearly 50% of them are using AI in their dating lives. They discuss whether first-date chemistry is overrated, why ghosting may actually may come from fear of rejection and conflict, and the difference between social monogamy and sexual monogamy. Plus,...

How to AVOID Situationships Early in Dating

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is back with a hotline episode tackling the dating questions everyone is actually thinking about. She breaks down why shows like Heated Rivalry, Bridgerton, and Grey’s Anatomy have women hooked, and why vulnerability in men is the real turn-on. Then, a 37-year-old man asks how to follow the 12 Date Rule without killing the chemistry, and Maria explains how to show attraction without rushing into sex or creating a situationship. She also answers a listener wondering if their urge to flirt means they’re non-monogamous or just not choosing the right partner. From emotional connection...

Why Gen Z Is Having Less Sex? ft Dr. Carli Blau

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Gen Z is having less sex! And THIS episode breaks down exactly why! Matchmaker Maria sits down with sex therapist to talk about the “sex recession,” including stats like 1 in 3 men under 30 not having sex and people waiting longer for their first experience. They get into how dating apps, fear of rejection, and growing up online are making real-life connection harder, plus why hyper-sexual messages like “do you like butt play?” are replacing normal conversation! Dr. Carli explains why many cases of painful sex are driven by anxiety and fear, not just physical issues. Plus, real advice...

Your Frictionless Life Is Ruining Your Dating Life! ft Rachel Williams

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Dating burnout, dating app fatigue, and lack of motivation to go out are becoming the MAIN problems in modern dating, and Matchmaker Maria breaks down exactly why! We're joined this week by comedian for a Hotline episode that tackles how a “frictionless” lifestyle filled with apps, delivery, and convenience is making dating feel harder than ever. A 32-year-old caller shares her struggle with feeling hopeless after quitting dating apps, and Maria explains why simply going out is a win and how weekly routines like classes or events can rebuild momentum. They also dig into family dynamics...

Can Better Friendships Improve Your Dating Life? ft Shari Leid

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What if friendship is the real key to finding love? This week, Maria sits down with author and connection coach , who shares the unbelievable story of being found as a baby in a cardboard box and how that shaped her mission to fight loneliness and seek connection. After a recent divorce and cross-country move, Shari reveals how traveling to all 50 states to share meals with strangers led to her “Flip the Box” philosophy: turning isolation into connection. They break down her 3 connection power tools , plus real-life icebreakers that actually work at events! Then, they tackle a...

Can This Age Gap Survive Long Term? She’s 39, He’s 24!

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It's a Hotline episode 👏 This week, Matchmaker Maria is joined by CEO of Agape Escapes, Amalia Kalogridakis, for a rapid-fire dating advice episode! They cover: money, friendship, and age gap relationships! They discuss whether $100,000 in credit card debt is a dating dealbreaker, how to rebuild your social life when your boyfriend is your only friend, and if a 39-year-old woman dating a 24-year-old man is headed for heartbreak or just harmless fun. Plus, they also invite listeners to their Greece retreat and cruise this August, make some new friends with Amalia, Maria, and Chrisoula!...

I Miscarried Quadruplets and the Hospital Bill Was Insane! ft Elena Nicolaou

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Matchmaker Maria is joined by TODAY.com senior editor for a powerful conversation on miscarriage, partner support, and the reality of navigating women’s healthcare. Elena shares the emotional story of finding out she was pregnant with quadruplets, miscarring, and then having to face a $41,000 medical bill after surgery! They also get into what grief looks like inside a marriage, how to know if your partner can handle real life stress, and why dating should be about more than just chemistry. Plus, they respond to a listener struggling after miscarriage when her husband seems ready to move on...

Are You in Love or Just Addicted to the Chase? ft Amanda McCracken

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Limerence, obsessive dating thoughts, and why you can’t stop checking your phone? Matchmaker Maria sits down with journalist and author , whose writing on relationships has been published in the New York Times, Guardian, and Vogue, to break down the psychology of intense romantic infatuation. Amanda shares how she dated over 100 men, struggled with “anchormen” from her past, and realized she was addicted to longing, not love. They unpack dopamine hits from texting, why intermittent responses keep you hooked, and how purity culture and hookup culture can wire you for obsession. Plus, what...

How Do I Work With an Ex Who Cheated on Me? ft Chloe Radcliffe

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Comedian joins Matchmaker Maria for a dating advice hotline episode about modern dating, relationships, dating apps, and finding a serious partner. They help a listener figure out how to work with an ex-boyfriend who betrayed her but still wants the breakup kept secret at their workplace. Another caller asks how to balance casual dating and having fun at 29 while still wanting to find a husband before her aging parents pass away. Maria and Chloe also talk about how to improve a Hinge profile to attract men who want marriage and family, and why you may need to swipe on the “6s and 7s”...

More Episodes

What if friendship is the real key to finding love? This week, Maria sits down with author and connection coach Shari Leid, who shares the unbelievable story of being found as a baby in a cardboard box and how that shaped her mission to fight loneliness and seek connection. After a recent divorce and cross-country move, Shari reveals how traveling to all 50 states to share meals with strangers led to her “Flip the Box” philosophy: turning isolation into connection. They break down her 3 connection power tools , plus real-life icebreakers that actually work at events! Then, they tackle a listener question from a 33-year-old in Chicago feeling left behind by married friends and give practical advice on building a new social circle from scratch! Check out her book Table for 51: Lessons Learned from Sharing Meals Across America by Shari Leid today!

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